Getting Sick in Mexico, Part 3

After health issues one and two, I was more prepared for the third. Sometime during our last visit I developed something in my wrist area that felt like carpal tunnel or tendonitis. It was probably from too much typing, but it’s hard when typing is essential for your job! I rested it as much as I could and then put a tensor bandage on it hoping that it would help remind me to take it easy. The next morning Jay and I headed over to brunch as per usual and went over to say hi to our new friends. When he saw my bandage he asked what was wrong and then proceeded to give me advice. What were the chances- our new friend was a physiotherapist!

He not only gave me advice on how to treat it, he offered to prescribe some medication and to have me come into his office for an appointment. We discovered that he works at one of the public hospitals in Cancun and we were curious to see what they were like. So far I had only been treated at private hospitals so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

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The first thing I noticed was how much busier the public hospital was; there were people waiting inside and outside and in line-ups everywhere. The hospital was only one level and all the specialists seemed to be along the same corridor. The walls were covered with colourful pamphlets and information, but the floors and ceilings looked like they had experienced some water damage.
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I really can’t say how much the care differs from a private hospital as the only person I saw was a friend, but based on my observations (and stories I’ve heard) I would assume slower and less comprehensive. Walking through the hospital really made me think about how lucky I am to have been born in Canada. When I wasn’t happy with my asthma specialist I had the luxury of switching to another doctor in the same hospital. If I wanted a second opinion about my family doctor’s diagnosis I would have my pick of options. I’m sure the doctors at these hospitals are great, but the resources are not as readily available as one might hope.
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Mexico’s health care system is complicated and can differ significantly depending on wealth and location, but it is now universal and that makes me very happy. I can’t wait to see how the program, which is still relatively new, grows and improves in the future.